Thus Have I Seen (and Heard)

Buddha-dharma

Special Dharma Lessons in a Silver Box

We are on retreat this week, studying “Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra” at the Holy Vajrasana Temple, so we will not have a regular blog this or next week, but I would like to invite...

December 8, 2018

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Art Buddha-dharma

Zhiyi (Chih-I)’s Meditation Manual on Shamatha and Contemplation

At the recent retreat where we focused on the “Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation (SAUMOL),” we had considerable discussion on the meaning of certain terms, especially those relating to...

December 2, 2018

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Holy Mandala created through a stone slab.

Buddha-dharma Events Miracles

Who is a Worthy Master? Erroneous Views #40 & #46

Anyone who boasts that he or she is a virtuous or holy person and serves as a role model for others is not worthy of being a master nor are they an appropriate role model for anyone. A true guru doesn’t just speak...

December 2, 2018

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Art Buddha-dharma

Showing Gratitude to your Root Master

Students should make offerings and show gratitude to their root master who transmits dharma to them as this master is the source of their liberation and enlightenment. Erroneous View # 57: THE VIEW THAT IT IS...

December 2, 2018

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Buddha-dharma

What Is Unacceptable Behavior in a Master? Erroneous Views #72, #73, & #74

You should not accept as your Vajra Master anyone who is arrogant, filled with self-pride, ignorant, false, or does not have bodhicitta. The “Fifty Stanzas of Guru Devotion” do not apply to false gurus, only...

December 2, 2018

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Buddha-dharma Events Quotes

QUOTE–Entering into the State of Liberation

Through the “Mahamudra of Liberation” that is supreme and unsurpassed, and the secret initiations and transmissions of holy dharma from my Buddha Master, I achieved control over my own...

November 25, 2018

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Buddha-dharma Events

Dharma King Gar Tongstan “Verses of Respectful Farewell”

Namo beneficent Master, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Disciple Gar Tongstan Ciren Gyatso has decided to leave this world. As life is filled with suffering, I rushed about learning Buddhism and seeking enlightenment. I...

November 25, 2018

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Dharma King Gar Tongstan's sharira from his 2018 cremation.

Buddha-dharma Events Miracles

Dharma King leaves shariras and relics as proof of his enlightened state

Dharma King Gar Tongstan attained mastery over his own birth and death. He said he would leave this world before the ink got dry and he did. After he was cremated, he left behind ringsels (Tibetan term for shariras);...

November 25, 2018

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Buddha-dharma Events Miracles

What are Shariras or Ringsels?

Shariras are holy objects in Buddhism, usually left as relics of an enlightened or holy person after that person’s cremation. They are considered to have certain powers and can multiply or disappear. They can...

November 25, 2018

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Buddha-dharma Events Miracles

Dharma King Gar Tongstan predicted when and expalined why he would leave this world

The World Buddhism Association Headquarters (WBAH) was asked: “Several years ago, Dharma King Gar Tongstan already wrote to the Jue Xing Temple in Taiwan, stating clearly that he could not serve as their abbot...

November 25, 2018

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